Merck + Co., Inc.

W Alexander Andrus

Burton G Christensen

James V Heck

N-tetrazolyl beta-lactams of the Formula: ##STR1## and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein R.sup.2 is hydrogen, alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or carboalkoxy having 2 to 7 carbon atoms; and

N-tetrazolyl beta-lactams

3-Phosphonate carbapenems of the Formula: wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen, alkyl, amino, --NHCO-alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halo, hydroxyalkyl, carboxyl or trifluoromethyl; R.sup.2 is alkyl, substituted alkyl, heterocyclic or substituted heterocyclic; R.sup.3 is hydrogen, alkyl or substituted alkyl; and M is a metal cation of H.sup.+ are disclosed. The compounds are useful as antibiotics.

3-Phosphonate carbapenems

Disclosed is the antibiotic 6-(1-hydroxyethyl)-2-substituted-thio-3-tetrazolyl-1-carbadethiapen-2-em and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts (I): ##STR1## wherein Z is C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkylamino, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkylguanidino, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkylamidino, or heterocycloalkyl and, M=H, a synthetically useful cation, or pharmaceutically acceptable cation. Such compounds as well as their pharmaceutically acceptable salts are useful as antibiotics. Also disclosed are processes for the preparation of such compounds; novel intermediates; pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; and methods of treatment comprising administering such compounds and compositions when an antibiotic effect is indicated.

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Fanwood, NJ, United States of America

W Alexander Andrus